Valued Relationship

Valued Relationship

Genesis 5: ²¹ Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. ²² After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. ²³ So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. ²⁴ And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

 

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Six generations lived before Enoch was born. Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalalel, and Jared. Hundreds of years passed. The garden was still there in plain sight with the angel guarding the entrance. Death was the sentence for all humans because Adam disobeyed GD’s instructions by eating from HIS tree instead of the millions of trees GOD had given humans. But humans began to pray by “calling on the name of the LORD.”

 

My Observations:

• Human mistakes can be overcome by calling on the name of the LORD.
• Walking with the LORD is special to HIM.
• GOD got so excited about Enoch, that HE spared him from death.

 

Okay, I am incredibly curious about what Enoch said and did. His conversations with JESUS must have been so exciting that HE took Enoch to heaven. Enoch would no longer have to walk on the cursed earth. He lived the shortest in this lineage so far, but actually lived the longest, because he never died.

 

I believe it was JESUS who walked with Enoch for three hundred years. They probably had exciting conversations that had nothing to do with punishment, good or bad offerings or needs. It was a valued relationship between Enoch and GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention that he took Enoch to Moses?
• Have you ever seen special treatment?
• Do you have a special relationship with GOD that excites HIM?

Value Proposition

Value Proposition

2 Corinthians 11: ⁷ I did not charge you a thing when I preached the Good News of God to you; I humbled myself in order to make you important. Was that wrong of me? ⁸ While I was working among you, I was paid by other churches. I was robbing them, so to speak, in order to help you. ⁹ And during the time I was with you I did not bother you for help when I needed money; the believers who came from Macedonia brought me everything I needed. As in the past, so in the future: I will never be a burden to you! ¹⁰ By Christ's truth in me, I promise that this boast of mine will not be silenced anywhere in all of Achaia. ¹¹ Do I say this because I don't love you? God knows I love you!

 

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“Would you like to buy some candy?’ were the dreaded words I heard from my boss. “It’s for a good cause” was the explanation. I dug into my pocket and bought a candy bar with the money I had planned for lunch. “I guess this is part of the game to get ahead” I thought to myself.

 

• I gave even though I did not value what I was giving to.
• I supported something because I valued my job and comfort.
• I added this cause to the list of many others I was being pulled into.

 

Paul speaks about this group not being charged for his services. He spoke to them, spent time with them and taught them something extremely valuable, namely the truth of CHRIST. But he did it for free. He brought this to their attention, not to guilt them, but to have them value what they got.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to value HIS servants.
• GOD wants me to support those who speak on HIS behalf.
• GOD wants me to understand the need to spread the Gospel everywhere.

 

Telling people about the Great news of JESUS is the most valuable thing a person can do. I mean, giving up the world’s pursuits to speak about JESUS is a huge step that the world’s structures fight against. Obstacles are placed in front of those who are determined to live for CHRIST.

 

“What will they eat?” or “Where will they stay?” are a couple of questions that come to mind. But in these days of many causes, supporting someone to speak about JESUS becomes noise. I have to make a choice at some point and support those who speak on HIS behalf or be the one who needs support to speak on HIS behalf. I am glad GOD has provided many people to support me as I was sent out to speak about JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What value proposition is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever gotten so overloaded with the world’s bills and structures that you could not see yourself giving money to those who speak on CHRIST’s behalf?
• Have you ever thought that maybe it’s you who need the support to speak on HIS behalf and need to pray about accepting HIS calling on your life today?

Unfair Trade

Luke 22: Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, ² and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. ³ Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. ⁴ And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. ⁵ They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ⁶ He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

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“Are you with us?” was the question posed to me. The crowd wanted a person fired but needed my title and position to make it happen. After meeting with the person, I gathered enough “evidence” to make the call, although it took a while to find anything really wrong. They had to go, was my final thought. I mean, this person wasn’t going to matter in the long run, right?

• There were times when I traded in my values to do what the crowd wanted me to do.
• There were times when I went with the crowd to protect “my” world.
• There were times when I overlooked the innocent to figure out how to make the rich richer.

The church leaders had enough of JESUS and wanted to have HIM killed but they couldn’t figure out how to do it and keep their “holy” appearance. Judas was open minded enough to have Satan tempt him into betraying JESUS. Judas saw this wonderful amount of money offered and figured this person didn’t matter in the long run.

• GOD says to me “Every person matters to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Do not let your heart be so concerned with getting your way that you allow Satan to drive your desires.”
• GOD says to me “Narrow is the path, but stay on it and I will be your guide.”

One day I will have to stand before GOD and account for everything I have done. Unlike a monetary system, sin outweighs any “good” I could ever do. JESUS did an unfair trade for me. HE gave HIS life in place of mine. HE decided to take my punishment in order to rescue me. I cannot thank JESUS enough for what HE has done.

• Are you justifying being “unfair” to someone?
• Do you think your slander is not seen by GOD?
• Will you turn your heart over to GOD and allow HIM to guide your words today?